[NewsPoster]

Microsoft will launch Office for the iPad, iPhone, and Android in early 2013, sources for The Verge claim. Dubbed Office Mobile, the software is expected to take the form of free apps that, on a basic level, will let people view Office documents. Users will allegedly require an account with Microsoft, like the current OneNote and SkyDrive apps.

Actually editing documents, though, is expected to demand an Office 365 subscription. People will be able to buy one through the app, or else enter a code, something that should allow larger organizations to set up their workforces. Editing options may be relatively limited, not intended to replace the desktop versions of Office. The sources say that Office Mobile for iOS should launch first, sometime in late February or early March. The Android version is anticipated in May. Microsoft has refused to comment on the story, except to say that Office "will work across Windows Phone, iOS and Android." There's no word on when Windows Phone apps might debut.

[davidlfoster]

Yawn. Too little, too late. Check out QuickOffice and Organidoc for iOS. Much of this functionality already exists.

[pairof9s]

They couldn't even develop a pure Office app for their Surface tablet, instead made it dependent on Windows hooks to the desktop version...built for PCs. So there's no reason to believe this Office will ever be anything robust or even complimentary to the desktop version.

Like davidfoster stated, there are so many available alternatives that there is no need to wait on these guys poor track record: QuickOffice, Doc To Go, Polaris Office, Smart Office, CloudOn...even iWork